By Bavoriat Clara
In a sweeping nationwide crackdown on illicit drug trafficking, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has secured multiple convictions, including that of a Lagos couple sentenced to a combined 22 and a half years in prison, alongside the final forfeiture of a multi-billion naira luxury hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, used as a drug distribution hub.
Businessman Ajah Johnson Uchenna and his wife, Rosemary Uchenna, were convicted on Monday, 4th August 2025, by Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court 8 in Lagos, for dealing in illicit drugs. The couple was first arrested on Friday, 13th June 2025, by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) in the Ojo area and handed over to the NDLEA, along with 277.5 kilograms of skunk, a high-grade variant of cannabis.
While still under investigation, credible intelligence revealed that the illicit business continued within their residence. A subsequent NDLEA raid on Tuesday, 1st July 2025, uncovered an additional 231 kilograms of the same substance hidden in their home and storage facility.
The couple was charged in case number FHC/L/632C/2025 with four counts bordering on conspiracy, dealing, and unlawful storage of 414.2 kilograms of cannabis sativa.In his judgment, Justice Dipeolu convicted Rosemary Uchenna on counts one, two, and three and sentenced her to 17 years imprisonment without the option of a fine. Her husband, Johnson Ajah Uchenna, was sentenced to five years imprisonment without the option of a fine on count one and an additional six months on count four with an option of ₦1 million fine.
Furthermore, the court ordered the forfeiture of ₦3,407,000.00 found in their possession as proceeds of crime to the Federal Government.
In another decisive verdict, a Federal High Court in Kano, presided over by Justice Simon Amobeda, sentenced 42-year-old Indian national, Neetu Neetu, to five years imprisonment for attempting to smuggle 72 parcels of heroin sealed in wafer wraps and disguised as chocolate into Nigeria.
The drugs, weighing 11 kilograms, were discovered during the inward clearance of Qatar Airways flight QR1431 from Bangkok via Vietnam and Doha at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) on 14th March 2025. She was charged under case number FHC/KN/CR/65/2025 and received a 10-year sentence on two counts, with an option of ₦2 million fine.
Similarly, Angolan businessman Mbala Dajou Abuba was sentenced to five years imprisonment by Justice Mohammed Yunusa of the Federal High Court, Kano. He was apprehended on 25th February 2025 while attempting to board Egypt Air flight MS 880 to Istanbul, Turkey via Cairo, having ingested 120 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.829 kilograms.
Also convicted is Eze Christian Ikenna, arrested on 20th January 2023 at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, upon arrival from Brazil via Addis Ababa. NDLEA operatives discovered 11.2 kilograms of cocaine concealed in herbal tea sachets in his luggage. Charged under FHC/EN/CS/9/2023, he was found guilty by Justice M.G. Umar of the Federal High Court, Enugu, and sentenced to three years on each of the two counts. The sentences will run concurrently from 20th May 2023.
In a major asset recovery milestone, the NDLEA has secured the final forfeiture of an 80-room hotel and lounge located at No. 16 Waziri Ibrahim Street, off Elsie Femi Pearse Road, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The property, used by a drug cartel as a front for their trafficking operations, was raided between 25th and 26th April 2025. The agency recovered 589 bags of Canadian Loud a premium cannabis strain totalling 417.3 kilograms, with a street value of ₦1,042,500,000.00.Also forfeited were several luxury and utility vehicles, including a Toyota Sienna (KJA 79 HJ), Volkswagen Delivery Van (AAA 525 JE), KIA Ceranto (BDG 860 GQ), Land Cruiser Prado (AKD 472 DZ), Grand Caravan Dodge (APP 847 YF), Mazda Bus (KTU 241 AAA), Mercedes Benz Truck (ASB 500 XY), Toyota Corolla (EKY 295 JT), and an ash-coloured Sienna Minibus.
Additional assets recovered from the premises include 84 television sets, 70 air conditioners, and 13 new refrigerators.The final forfeiture orders were granted on Friday, 18th July 2025, by Justice Ibrahim Ahmad Kala, following motion number FHC/L/MISC/447/2025 filed by the NDLEA.
Reacting to the latest developments, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the agency’s commands and legal teams, as well as the judiciary, for their swift and decisive handling of the cases. “Nothing serves the cause of justice more than when criminal elements are handed long jail terms and made to forfeit all proceeds of their illicit drug trade.
These judicial pronouncements will not only motivate our operatives to do more but also significantly strengthen our nationwide drug control efforts,” Marwa stated.